AUCTIONPROCEEDSGOTOTHEDOGS … ANDCATS

You can bid on a walking stick with a fish on top of it or a charcoal drawing of a dog.

There will be squirrel feeders and a basket of pet grooming products, along with more than 200 other items. The fourth annual Lawrence Humane Society auction, Pawsible Dream, will feature 208 items for sale to the highest bidder, all to benefit the shelter.

``What better way can you spend your money than on animals nobody wants any more?'' Midge Grinstead, the shelter's executive director, said. ``You can go bid on a $5 item or a $2,000 quilt.''

Auction-goers can bid on packages of certificates, like an afternoon rollerblading and appetizers at Chili's or dinner and a movie. There is a basketball signed by the 1997-98 Kansas Jayhawks, and a football signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. One certificate from auction is catering for a 25-person cocktail party.

``I just can't believe what we have,'' Grinstead said.

She said that local businesses and individuals have donated artwork, jewelry, service and items for the sale. Everything for the auction, including the hall, has been donated.

Last year, the sale brought in $10,000.

``There are so many items of much higher quality, we're expecting to top that,'' Kimberly Roberts, with the Humane Society, said. The Humane Society is hoping to raise $15,000.

The money raised helps fund the shelter at the end of the year, when money is spread thin.

The event will be split into a silent auction, with 136 of the smaller items for sale, and a live auction, with 72 of the larger items on the block. The silent auction begins at 6 p.m. Friday at Liberty Hall, 624 Mass., with music from Born Lover, a blues band. The live auction begins at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the auction are $10. There will be finger food, dessert, wine, beer and coffee available, along with a cash bar. At least 250 people are expected to attend.

-- Felicia Haynes' phone message number is 832-7173. Her e-mail address is fhaynes@ljworld.com.